HCA Health Inc vs Norfolk Southern Corporation — how do they compare? HCA Health Inc trades at $371.96 (market cap $82.17B), while Norfolk Southern Corporation trades at $334.6 (market cap $75.23B). The key difference: HCA Health Inc and Norfolk Southern Corporation are close in size by market cap, and Norfolk Southern Corporation pays the higher dividend (1.61%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HCA | NSC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $82.17B | $75.23B |
Sector | Health | Technology |
52-Week High | $545.13 | $340.16 |
52-Week Low | $334.32 | $272.35 |
Enterprise Value | $131.08B | $90.99B |
Dividend Yield | 0.84% | 1.61% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
HCA Healthcare trades at $370.74, down 0.12% on the day, with a bearish technical signal but strong fundamentals including consistent earnings beats and revenue growth to $75.6 billion in 2025. The stock faces headwinds from lowered 2026 guidance and negative news flow, but maintains a solid valuation with a P/E of 12.79 and positive analyst consensus.
The outlook is mixed: attractive valuation and operational strength support upside to the $469.40 price target, but near-term risks from payer mix shifts and legal investigations warrant caution. Long-term growth drivers include capacity expansion and medical advancements, though investor sentiment is currently pressured.
Norfolk Southern (NSC) trades at $334.97, down 1.53% today, with a bullish technical outlook from moving averages but overbought RSI signals. The company shows strong profitability with a 21.91% net income margin and has beaten earnings estimates for three consecutive quarters. Recent news highlights the pending merger with Union Pacific and upcoming Q2 2026 earnings on July 23, 2026.
The stock offers a moderate upside to the $344.40 consensus price target, supported by earnings momentum and cost controls, but faces risks from regulatory scrutiny of the merger and rich valuations. Investor sentiment is mixed amid merger uncertainties and high expectations.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
HCA Healthcare is a Nashville-based healthcare provider organization operating the largest collection of acute-care hospitals in the U.S. As of December 2021, the firm owned and operated 182 hospitals, 125 freestanding outpatient surgery centers, and a broad network of physician offices, urgent care clinics, and freestanding emergency rooms across nearly 20 states and a small foothold in England.
Read more on HCA →Norfolk Southern Corporation is a major North American railroad company operating one of the largest freight rail networks in the eastern United States. The company transports a diverse range of commodities, including coal, intermodal containers, and various industrial products. NSC is a critical link in the nation's supply chain, providing efficient, long-haul transportation services to and from ports and industrial centers.
Read more on NSC →